The Ford Barn

strat9973 · 07-27-2012, 10:15 AM

I have read that you don't get much gain from turbo charging a flatead. It's said that it's due to the exhaust running through the water jackets. Why is that? Exhaust pressure is what makes the turbo work, where does temp come in to play?

jdl · 07-27-2012, 11:35 AM

I know nothing about turbo charging a Flathead, BUT, here is a short video of one....

http://youtu.be/TsmBVKXdsdg

JWL · 07-27-2012, 11:51 AM

Heat is a factor to gas expansion and thus, exhaust pressure. However, there are sooooo many inlet and exhaust housing options for turbos that almost anything can be successfully turbocharged. Including our Flatheads. There are several myths and false bits of information included in some popular books.

Charlie Stephens · 07-27-2012, 12:02 PM

I would worry more about the crank and 3 main bearings.

Charlie Stephens

rotorwrench · 07-27-2012, 12:11 PM

Most folks interested usually go the supercharging route. There is less lag time with a roots type blower. Charlie is right about the bottom end worries. When you wake one of these old beasts up like that, they are prone to self destruction unless the center main issues are addressed to some degree.

strat9973 · 07-27-2012, 01:32 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Thanks guys, I'm looking to wake up my little 60hp. Not looking for huge power, just enough to run a good hwy gear.

Krylon32 · 07-27-2012, 03:06 PM

Many years ago there was a guy in the area that ran a Forty coupe with a turbocharged FH on propane. Saw the car at several shows and it was a screamer for the times.

ford1 · 07-27-2012, 03:16 PM

i know the little 60 h/p engines are cutr, but if you want a reliable engine that can run hi way speeds put in a latter model engine and gain 50 h/p , no worries about sending the crank out thru the oil pan, hell of a lot cheaper to

D_Lazaris · 07-27-2012, 03:20 PM

Thought this might be of interest.

Scan 43 by Dimitri Lazaris, on Flickr

hotcoupe · 07-27-2012, 04:13 PM

there is a guy here in st, louis that just completed a chopped `34 three window with a twin turbo charged flathead. you should see how it is packaged! sa weeeeeet!

Flat Ernie · 07-27-2012, 07:42 PM

There's a good thread over on the HAMB about turbocharging a flathead - it's older. Most folks do opt for a roots type blower though.

07-27-2012, 10:15 AM	#1
strat9973 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Katy, TX Posts: 26	Turbo charging a flathead I have read that you don't get much gain from turbo charging a flatead. It's said that it's due to the exhaust running through the water jackets. Why is that? Exhaust pressure is what makes the turbo work, where does temp come in to play?

07-27-2012, 11:35 AM	#2
jdl Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: California Central Coast Posts: 931	Re: Turbo charging a flathead I know nothing about turbo charging a Flathead, BUT, here is a short video of one.... http://youtu.be/TsmBVKXdsdg

07-27-2012, 11:51 AM	#3
JWL Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fitzgerald, Georgia Posts: 2,204	Re: Turbo charging a flathead Heat is a factor to gas expansion and thus, exhaust pressure. However, there are sooooo many inlet and exhaust housing options for turbos that almost anything can be successfully turbocharged. Including our Flatheads. There are several myths and false bits of information included in some popular books.

07-27-2012, 12:02 PM	#4
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,032	Re: Turbo charging a flathead I would worry more about the crank and 3 main bearings. Charlie Stephens

07-27-2012, 12:11 PM	#5
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,432	Re: Turbo charging a flathead Most folks interested usually go the supercharging route. There is less lag time with a roots type blower. Charlie is right about the bottom end worries. When you wake one of these old beasts up like that, they are prone to self destruction unless the center main issues are addressed to some degree.

07-27-2012, 01:32 PM	#6
strat9973 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Katy, TX Posts: 26	Re: Turbo charging a flathead Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks guys, I'm looking to wake up my little 60hp. Not looking for huge power, just enough to run a good hwy gear.

07-27-2012, 03:06 PM	#7
Krylon32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,484	Re: Turbo charging a flathead Many years ago there was a guy in the area that ran a Forty coupe with a turbocharged FH on propane. Saw the car at several shows and it was a screamer for the times.

07-27-2012, 03:16 PM	#8
ford1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: oroville ca. Posts: 1,554	Re: Turbo charging a flathead i know the little 60 h/p engines are cutr, but if you want a reliable engine that can run hi way speeds put in a latter model engine and gain 50 h/p , no worries about sending the crank out thru the oil pan, hell of a lot cheaper to

07-27-2012, 03:20 PM	#9
D_Lazaris Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Murrieta, Ca Posts: 25	Re: Turbo charging a flathead Thought this might be of interest. Scan 43 by Dimitri Lazaris, on Flickr __________________ U.F.R.A ~ United Flathead Racing Association PM For Info!

07-27-2012, 04:13 PM	#10
hotcoupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: imperial,mo Posts: 694	Re: Turbo charging a flathead there is a guy here in st, louis that just completed a chopped `34 three window with a twin turbo charged flathead. you should see how it is packaged! sa weeeeeet!

07-27-2012, 07:42 PM	#11
Flat Ernie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: 74FL Posts: 323	Re: Turbo charging a flathead There's a good thread over on the HAMB about turbocharging a flathead - it's older. Most folks do opt for a roots type blower though. __________________ Daddy always said, "If yer gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough" and I'm one tough sumbitch! T5 Tech